OROP: Negotiations continue, no breakthrough, but 'step forward' (Roundup)

Hectic negotiations over 'One Rank One Pension' continued on Wednesday, as the government tried to convince the ex-servicemen to scale down their demands on the issue.

While an official statement from the protesting ex-servicemen said they had reached a "step forward" in the negotiations, there were no clear signals if a breakthrough will be reached any time soon.

A statement issued by the ex-servicemen's front on Wednesday evening said: "Dialogue with the government is continuing and considerable ground has been covered today. We have moved a step forward and are optimistic about the final outcome."

This however comes after the ex-servicemen warned again on Wednesday morning that they would scale up the agitation if their demands were not met.

The veterans had planned to scale up the agitation after the government failed to announce OROP on August 15, as expected.

However, they were asked to wait for 10 more days, which ended on Wednesday.

"Talks are on but we have so far not reached any consensus with the government," a representative from the veterans said.

"They want to make changes that will reduce their expenditure, but we are not ready to allow it," the veteran said.

Sources told IANS that the government wants 2011 to be the base year, while the veterans say it should be at the 2014 level, along with a 3 percent increment every year, which the government is not agreeing to.

Besides, the government wants payment to begin from April 1, 2015 as against the agreed date of April 1, 2014.

Col. Anil Kaul (retd), spokesperson from the front, said on Wednesday morning that the agitation will be scaled up if the demands were not met.

"The government's arithmetic means reduced payout. We have rejected it and the agitation is expected to be escalated," Col. Kaul said.

As talks within government circles and negotiations with the veterans continued, two of the veterans on a fast-unto-death, Col. Pushpender Singh (retd) and Hav. Ashok Chauhan (retd), continue to be in hospital. Both continue to be on fast.

Hav. Major Singh, whose condition deteriorated, refused to leave the venue on Wednesday as well. He has been on fast since Monday last week.

A spokesperson from the veterans' side said medical arrangements have been made at Jantar Mantar to address any emergency.

On Wednesday, two more joined the indefinite fast, retired Indian Navy commander A.K. Sharma, and Sanwal Ram Yadav, father of martyr Ln. Nk. Sunil Kumar Yadav.

Hav. Sahib Singh, who replaced Col. Singh on Monday, Nk. Uday Singh Rawat, and Maj. Piar Singh who joined on Tuesday also continue to be on fast.

Wednesday was the 73rd day of protest.

The ex-servicemen are demanding that there should be no change in the definition of OROP, the date of implementation should remain April 1, 2014, and the base year must remain 2013-14. That means all past pensioners would be brought at par with pension as existing on March 31, 2014.

Highly-placed sources, meanwhile, told IANS that on Wednesday at a meeting with representatives from the RSS, the government said there was concern that implementing OROP will open a pandora's box.

This was conveyed to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh representatives, who met Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday.

RSS general secretary Bhaiyyaji Joshi, joint general secretary Krishan Gopal and senior leader Indresh Kumar were present at the meeting.

According to the sources, there is a feeling in the government that implementing OROP for the armed forces would open a pandora's box as similar demands may follow from the paramilitary forces.

The ministers also told the RSS representatives that there was a feeling that pension increment should be linked to the pay commission and they were hoping the ex-servicemen will scale down their demands.

However, the government maintained that it was committed to OROP, a promise the BJP made ahead of the 2014 general election.